A motorcyclist was critically injured when he crashed into the back of a car on U.S. 190 in Covington on Monday evening, authorities said.

View full sizeEllia Lucia, The Times-PicayuneCovington police and fire officials respond to an accident involving an automobile and a motorcycle Monday at the intersection of U.S. 190 and Pruden Road, about 1.5 miles west of Covington High School.

The man, who was not identified, was riding westbound near about 6 p.m., Covington Police Chief Richard Palmisano said. As he approached Pruden Road, about a mile and a half from Covington High School, he crashed into car in front of him when its driver stopped, likely in an effort to make a turn, Palmisano said.

The man, who was thrown from his bike, was taken to a hospital by Acadian Ambulance in critical condition, Palmisano said. It was not immediately clear whether he was taken to a hospital in St. Tammany Parish or if he was transported to the Interim LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans.

Covington Police spokesman Capt. Jack West said a witness reported the motorcyclist may have had some sort of medical issue prior to the crash because he was driving erratically.